What is the legal term for property that cannot be transferred and lies in the control of the government?

The legal term for property that cannot be transferred and lies in the control of the government is police power. Police power refers to the authority of a government to regulate behavior and enforce order within its territory, often relating to land use, zoning, and public health. This includes the ability to restrict the use of property for the greater good of the community, ensuring safety, welfare, and morality.

In instances where property is subject to police power, the government retains control over how the property is used and developed, preventing private ownership or transfer that might conflict with public interest. This distinguishes police power from other concepts related to property rights and ownership.

In contrast, other terms like easement, possessory interest, and escheat refer to different legal concepts. An easement allows another party the right to use a portion of someone else's property for a specific purpose, while possessory interest indicates a right of possession in real property. Escheat involves the reversion of property to the state when the owner dies without heirs, rather than being a direct state control over the property. Thus, police power accurately encapsulates the government's regulatory control over property, making it the correct choice in this context.